Frame for sounding boards of stringed musical instruments



A. EILERT FRAME FOR SOUNDING BOARDS OF STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSFiled on 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet; 1

Dec. 20, 1927.

- A. EILERT FRAME FOR SOUNDING BOARDS OF STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSFiled Oct. 12, 1925 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Patented Dec. 20, 1927.

ADGLF EILERT, OF BRUNSWICK, GERMANY.

FRAME FOR SOUNDING BOARDS ()F STRINGED' MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed October 12, 1%25, Serial No. 62,152, and in GermanyApril 25, 1925.

My invention relates to improvements in frames for sounding boards ofstringed musical instruments, and the object of the improvements is toprovide a frame which is light in construction and permits the freeoscillations of the sounding board, and which takes up the tension ofthe strings in a favorable way. lVith this object in View my inventionconsists in the matters to be described hereinafter and particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

For the purpose of explaining the invention an example embodying thesame has been shown in the accompanying drawing, in m which the samereference characters have been used in all the views to indicatecorresponding parts. In said drawing,

Fig. 1, is an elevation showing the frame and the sounding board carriedthereby,

left in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3. is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4, is a detail perspective view showing one of the corners of theframe,

Fig. 5, is a detail sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6, is a detail sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 8, 3Fig. 7, is a sectional view showing the sounding board, and

Fig. 8, is a detail view showing a modification.

In the exznnple shown in the drawing the frame carrying the soundingboard. consists of a pair of side members a and Z), transverse members 0and (Z secured to the members a and 7) and a tuning plank composed of awooden body 7 and a jacket 9 enclosing the wooden body. The side membersa and b are U-shaped in cross-section, and they are bifurcated at theirtop end as is shown at e in Fig. l, the bifurcated portions 6, 6providing a seat for the tuning plank f, g. lhc strength of the members0, (Z is sufficient to take up the tension of the strings n attachedthereto, without needing-any bracing means intermediate the same and thetop part of the frame, for which purpose they are made from strongmaterial such as cast steel. By providing the tuning plank with thejacket 9 also the strength of the said tuning plank is suflicient totake up the tension of the strings without: needing any Fig. 2, an endview looking from the bracing means intermediate its end, the saidtuning plank being ordinarily supported eX- clusively at its ends,though in some cases I provide a bracing member 0 between the tuningplank f, g and the side member a. In some cases the side members a andZ) are braced relatively to each other by means of a rod 39.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 8 the flanges of the members aand Z) are enlarged at the parts where the members 0 and (Z are joinedthereto, and the said enlarged portions g are made integral with thesaid members.

In the example shown in the figures the sounding board is in the form ofa box 122, and the said box is fixed to brackets a made integral withthe member 0 and engaging in slots 6 of the bridge u of the soundingboard.

I claim:

1. A frame for stringed musical instruments, comprising a pair of sidemembers, a tuning plank supported only by the ends of said side members,braces connecting said side members and unsupported except for the same,and means for attaching the strings respectively to said tuning plankand braces.

2. A frame for stringed musical instruments, comprising a pair of sidemembers bifurcated at one of their ends, a tuning plank fixed to thebifurcated ends of said side members, braces connecting said sidemembers and freely supported between the same, and means for attachingthe strings respectively to said tuning plank and braces.

A. frame for stringed musical instruments, comprising a pair of sidemembers U-shaped in cross-section. one of the flanges of each sidemember being gradually enlarged, a tuning plank fixed to the ends ofsaid side members, braces connecting said enlarged portions of theflanges of the side members and freely supported between the same,and'means for attaching the strings respectively to said tuning plankand braces.

4. A frame for stringed musical instru ments comprising a pair ofmetallic side members, a tuning plank supported only by the ends of saidside members, a brace connected to said side members and unsupportedexcept for the same, means for attaching the strings respectively tosaid tuning plank and brace, and a metallic jacket partially enclosingsaid tuning plank to compensate for strains set up by the strings ofsaid instrument.

A support for the sounding board of: stringed musical instruments,coinpi'ising an 5 open frame formed by two spaced side members, a tuningplank secured to and supported solely by the ends of said SKlO 11mmbets, and a metallic brace secured to and supported solely by said sidemembers, said plank and said brace serving as Ill-0:11.18 "1 01.uttachingthe strings of said instrument.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

ADOLF EILE RT.

